Professor Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba has urged Ugandans, East Africans and Africans, in general, to emulate Omukama Cwa II Kabaleega of Bunyoro-Kitara and learn from his statesmanship how to forge a better future for the continent.
Prof Lumumba, a Kenyan lawyer and activist, was delivering a keynote address during the Inaugural Kabalega Memorial Lecture held December 18, 2023, at Kampala Serena Hotel.
“As we celebrate Kabalega, we have to legitimately ask ourselves if there isn’t anything we can benchmark on from the Omukama that we can use to develop ourselves other than relying on the colonial systems?” noted Prof Lumumba.
While discussing “The Role of Culture in Development – the Case of Africa”, Prof Lumumba recalled how Europeans started exploiting and plundering Africa and later claimed to have discovered Africa.
He criticized the notion of Europeans imposing their beliefs, names, and cultural superiority on Africans.
“They came and said our names were not good enough and found our ‘God’ and said he was not good enough and went on to rename our natural features like Lake Nalubaale to Victoria, Mwitanzige to Albert, and Murchison Falls, and Lake George, among others”.
He expressed gratitude to the Kabalega Foundation and acknowledged the King of Bunyoro, emphasizing the significance of culture in societies.
He also highlighted how modern-day civilization has victimized society, and noted that kingdoms across Africa were well-organized before external influences disrupted them.
“As we commemorate Omukama Kabalega, let us reflect on the concept of “development”,” he noted, arguing that true development encompasses not only technological advancements like reaching the moon but also spiritual, social, and economic well-being.
Prof Lumumba reflected on the history of Africa, mentioning how outsiders exploited and divided African communities.
He advocated for a return to the values of humanity and decency that were present in the past.
He mentioned his desire to communicate freely in Kiswahili, expressing concern about abandoning African languages in favour of European ones.
“Intelligence has nothing to do with one’s ability to speak foreign languages, you can be intelligent in your mother tongue and the time is now,” he stated.
He criticized the abandonment of cultural beliefs in the name of development, asserting that this only perpetuates domination.
“Is there not something within our own culture that can serve as a foundation for Africa’s freedom and progress? Who said that we cannot borrow from different cultures, combine and integrate these cultures to promote our development through cultural practices?” he wondered.
“The time is now that Africans must find a solution to Governance. Cultural institutions must be given enhanced roles in governance so that you see them in their splendour. We must embrace culture because it is dynamic. As Africans, we do not need to evade culture because of modern-day education, governance, resource management and medicine. We need to learn how to manage diversity like Omukama Kabalega did,” he added.
Prof Lumumba further pointed out the irony in Europeans referring to their conflicts as “world wars” instead of “tribal wars,” highlighting the double standards and biases that persist.
He questioned why streets in Kampala are named after foreign figures like Prince Charles instead of honouring local heroes like Omukama Kabalega. “I look forward to a future where such practices change.”
“Let us talk about our history. When we talk about inspiration, who inspired Kabalega? We need to look out for those who inspired other people so that we learn from them and teach the young generation about our culture,” Cecilia Ogwal, the Dokolo District Woman MP, added her voice to that of Prof Lumumba.
Speaking during a panel discussion, Mrs Agnes Kabajuni, the Executive Director of CESCRA, said some universities such as Kyambogo have introduced courses that prioritize culture.
“However, some people stigmatize them that they are practicing witchcraft Part of our values is looking after each other. We shouldn’t allow being brainwashed. We have communities and values but we are not documenting these iconic moments and commercializing them which would help in developing societies,” she noted.
